How should lice be treated with vinegar? - briefly
Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water, apply generously to the scalp and hair, cover for 10–15 minutes, then comb out lice and nits with a fine‑toothed nit comb. Repeat the treatment after seven days to eliminate newly hatched insects.
How should lice be treated with vinegar? - in detail
Vinegar can be incorporated into a lice‑removal regimen as a supplemental agent that helps loosen nits from the hair shaft. The process begins with a thorough wet combing using a fine‑toothed lice comb. After washing the hair with a regular shampoo, rinse thoroughly and apply a solution of white distilled vinegar diluted with an equal part of warm water. The liquid should be poured over the scalp and hair, ensuring complete coverage of all strands.
Leave the vinegar mixture on for three to five minutes; the acidity softens the cement that attaches nits to the cuticle. While the solution remains, comb the hair section by section, starting at the root and moving toward the tips. Each pass should be repeated until no live lice or viable nits are visible. After combing, rinse the hair with lukewarm water to remove residual vinegar.
For repeated infestations, repeat the treatment after 7–10 days, when newly hatched lice emerge from any remaining eggs. Maintain the following supportive measures:
- Wash all bedding, hats, brushes, and hair accessories in hot water (≥130 °F) and dry on high heat.
- Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture to eliminate fallen lice.
- Seal non‑washable items in sealed plastic bags for two weeks to prevent hatching.
Avoid using undiluted vinegar directly on the scalp, as the high acidity may cause irritation. If irritation occurs, rinse promptly with cool water and discontinue use. Vinegar should not replace proven pediculicides; it serves only as an adjunct to mechanical removal.